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02/08/2005
Unionists react with anger at axing of 'home' RIR
Unionists have reacted with anger at the news that two home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) are to be disbanded as part of its 'normalisation' programme in response to last week's IRA statement.
The decision to retire the Northern Ireland-based battalions of the regiment on 1 August 2007 was described as "a scandalous betrayal" by DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley.
"The destruction of the RIR represents yet another example of how this Government treats those who have put their lives on the line and made sacrifices during the Troubles," Dr Paisley said.
"The RIR have now to go the same way as the RUC, the USC and the UDR. We salute the memory of the gallant men and women who paid the supreme price and who are now quickly forgotten by the Government."
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said the decision was "deplorable".
“This announcement has come before any acts of completion by Republicans, in direct contradiction of the government’s own promise on the matter," Sir Reg said.
"Normalisation can only occur in an enabling environment. To pretend that an enabling environment exists at the moment is not only premature but is a wreckless endangerment of the security position of our Province."
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said the move was a welcome one.
"We have consistently called for the British government to produce a comprehensive strategy to achieve the demilitarisation of our society," Mr Murphy said.
"Any such strategy would have to include the future of the RIR. Sinn Féin have
consistently raised the issue of the continuing role of the RIR, its sectarian composition and its collusion with the unionist paramilitaries and this announcement deals with this issue."
More than 3,000 soldiers serve in the three battalions, many part-time.
News of the decision was broken to them on Monday morning.
(MB/SP)
The decision to retire the Northern Ireland-based battalions of the regiment on 1 August 2007 was described as "a scandalous betrayal" by DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley.
"The destruction of the RIR represents yet another example of how this Government treats those who have put their lives on the line and made sacrifices during the Troubles," Dr Paisley said.
"The RIR have now to go the same way as the RUC, the USC and the UDR. We salute the memory of the gallant men and women who paid the supreme price and who are now quickly forgotten by the Government."
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said the decision was "deplorable".
“This announcement has come before any acts of completion by Republicans, in direct contradiction of the government’s own promise on the matter," Sir Reg said.
"Normalisation can only occur in an enabling environment. To pretend that an enabling environment exists at the moment is not only premature but is a wreckless endangerment of the security position of our Province."
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said the move was a welcome one.
"We have consistently called for the British government to produce a comprehensive strategy to achieve the demilitarisation of our society," Mr Murphy said.
"Any such strategy would have to include the future of the RIR. Sinn Féin have
consistently raised the issue of the continuing role of the RIR, its sectarian composition and its collusion with the unionist paramilitaries and this announcement deals with this issue."
More than 3,000 soldiers serve in the three battalions, many part-time.
News of the decision was broken to them on Monday morning.
(MB/SP)
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05 August 2005
Calls for RIR widows fund review
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Ulster Unionist Fermanagh & South Tyrone assembly member, Tom Elliott, has called on the government to urgently review its decision not to award extra funding to the widows of UDR and RIR soldiers killed during Northern Ireland's 'Troubles'.
02 September 2005
Reid 'left in no doubt' over DUP stance on RIR
DUP leader Ian Paisley has met with the Secretary of State for Defence John Reid in London to discuss the axing of the home battalions of the Royal Irish regiment (RIR). The Government confirmed last month that three of the the RIR's battalions are to be disbanded as part of its 'normalisation' programme in response to the recent IRA statement.
Reid 'left in no doubt' over DUP stance on RIR
DUP leader Ian Paisley has met with the Secretary of State for Defence John Reid in London to discuss the axing of the home battalions of the Royal Irish regiment (RIR). The Government confirmed last month that three of the the RIR's battalions are to be disbanded as part of its 'normalisation' programme in response to the recent IRA statement.
03 August 2005
DUP express anger at RIR decision during Hain meeting
The DUP has expressed its anger at the Government's decision to disband the home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) during a meeting with NI Secretary of State Peter Hain on Wednesday.
DUP express anger at RIR decision during Hain meeting
The DUP has expressed its anger at the Government's decision to disband the home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) during a meeting with NI Secretary of State Peter Hain on Wednesday.
17 November 2003
DUP attack Armstrong RIR comments
Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for mid-Ulster, Billy Armstrong has called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to give clear assurances about the role of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) in the event of the Republican movement undertaking ‘acts of completion’.
DUP attack Armstrong RIR comments
Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for mid-Ulster, Billy Armstrong has called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to give clear assurances about the role of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) in the event of the Republican movement undertaking ‘acts of completion’.
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